Bernie Sanders has a lot to talk about when he meets with President Obama Thursday in Washington – and Fox News has learned one potential issue the still-kicking Democratic presidential candidate may raise is whether Debbie Wasserman Schultz remains at the helm of the party.
Sanders and the Democratic National Committee chairwoman have been at odds for months, with Sanders’ team long accusing her of helping now-presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton.
Though Sanders has yet to concede the race, a question on Capitol Hill is whether he may seek Wasserman Schultz’ ouster as part of a deal toward party unity.
“I don’t see how she makes it through the convention,” one Democratic lawmaker told Fox News. “The key to Hillary winning is getting Sanders supporters on board.”
Speculation over Wasserman Schultz’ position has swirled for months, however, and so far she has retained the public support of the White House. President Obama also endorsed her earlier this year in her House primary battle.
Asked Wednesday about the possibility of Sanders seeking her removal during meetings Thursday with Obama and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Wasserman Schultz said she’s not worried about her job.
“I’m going to be remaining as the chair of the Democratic National Committee as President Obama has asked me to do until January 21, 2017, and I appreciate the president’s support,” she said.
As for concerns about being able to unify the Democratic Party, she said: “I’m very confident that we are going to be unified.”
Still, Fox News has learned some factions in the Democratic Party as well as Sanders loyalists have pushed for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, as a potential replacement at the helm of the DNC. Gabbard is a Sanders supporter, which could help with outreach to Sanders backers and bring Sanders himself into the fold.
When asked if she was interested in being party chair, Gabbard told Fox News she was not.
She also noted she has not called for the DNC to relieve Wasserman Schultz of her duties.
Gabbard said she has no plans at this point to meet with Sanders in Washington on Thursday.
However, Gabbard said Sanders should continue to fight through the convention.
“If you look at the people who voted for Sanders, their voices should be heard,” Gabbard said. (Fox News)
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/06/09/could-sanders-seek-dnc-chairwomans-removal-in-deal-for-party-unity.html?intcmp=hpbt1
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